Clearing invasive plants from the banks of the Illinois River on two East Peoria properties could have important benefits for the community beyond just improving the view.
The city has signed a development agreement with Tekona Group Inc., which plans to break ground on a 143-unit apartment complex on Conference Center Drive in the spring of 2023, East Peoria Planning Director Ty Livingston said. and community development. The city has signed a deal with another unnamed developer for a family entertainment center on Bass Pro Drive.
“Both developments want to take advantage of the spectacular views of the river that these locations offer, and the city has proposed to enhance that view in both areas,” Livingston said.
A request for proposals from the city resulted in three bids from contractors, with JIMAX Landscape placing the lowest bid at just over $44,000. The East Peoria City Council is expected to vote to award the contract to JIMAX at its Oct. 18 meeting, when the resolution ends its required second reading. Livingston estimates that removal of coastal invasive species such as silver maples and cottonwoods will begin this winter.
“It is suitable to do this work when the leaves are coming off the trees,” he added. “It’s easy to get in there and solve these problems.”
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The project is already poised to pay dividends by attracting new business and a new housing option to the East Peoria Riverfront, Livingston said. He estimated that the proposed residential building would bring 200 new residents or more.
“The family entertainment[center]will bring in tourism dollars and the apartment complex will bring in new residents,” he explained. “The new developments will increase the property tax burden, which is something everyone is concerned about.”
